The utility of magnetic resonance imaging in addition to computed tomography scans in the evaluation of cervical spine injuries: a study of obtunded blunt trauma patients.

Purpose: Evidence guiding the use of CT and MRI scans in blunt trauma patients who are obtunded remains controversial. This study aims to determine and predict if computed tomography (CT) scans alone can be performed without risking oversight of substantial injuries found on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 63 blunt trauma patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale of < 8.